Bank of America's mobile check deposit works through their mobile app
Bank of America lets you deposit a check using your phone instead of visiting a branch or ATM. You take a photo of the front and back of the check with your phone camera, the bank processes it, and the money appears in your account. The whole process takes a few minutes, though the funds may take one to two business days to show up as available to spend.
You need a Bank of America checking or savings account, the Bank of America mobile app installed on your phone, and a check made out to you. The check must be signed on the back by you (the person whose name is on the account), and the signature must be in the designated area — usually a small box or line on the back of the check.
Key Takeaways
- Mobile check deposit requires the Bank of America mobile app, a smartphone camera, and a Bank of America deposit account in your name.
- You must sign the back of the check in the designated signature area before taking photos of the front and back.
- The app will show you whether your photo is clear enough and will reject blurry images or checks that are missing information.
- Deposited checks typically take one to two business days to clear, though the bank may place a hold on larger amounts.
- There are daily and monthly limits on how much you can deposit this way, and these limits vary based on your account type and history.
Step-by-step process for depositing a check
Open the Bank of America mobile app and sign in with your username and password. Tap "Deposit a Check" or "Mobile Check Deposit" — the exact wording depends on which version of the app you have, but it is usually in the main menu under "Transfers" or "Deposits."
Select the account where you want the money to go. If you have multiple checking or savings accounts, the app will show you a list. Choose the one you want and tap it.
Take a photo of the front of the check. Hold the check flat under good lighting and position it so the entire check fits in the frame. The app will show you a guide on the screen — align the check with the corners marked. Tap the camera button to take the photo. The app will check whether the image is clear and readable. If it is blurry, too dark, or cut off, the app will ask you to retake it.
Take a photo of the back of the check. This is where your signature must be. Again, make sure the entire back fits in the frame and the image is clear. Tap the camera button.
Review the information the app has read from the check. It will show you the check number, the amount, and the date. If any of this information is wrong, you can edit it by hand. Once everything looks correct, tap "Confirm" or "Submit" to send the deposit.
The app will show you a confirmation screen with a reference number. Write this number down or take a screenshot — you will need it if you have questions about the deposit later. The check is now submitted and you should see it in your pending deposits within a few minutes.
What happens after you submit the deposit
Bank of America processes the image and verifies the information. This usually takes a few hours, though it can take longer if you submit late in the day or on a weekend. Once the bank has processed it, the deposit will move from "pending" to "processed" in your app.
The funds then take one to two business days to become available. This is called the clearing period. During this time, the bank is confirming with the other bank (the one that issued the check) that the account has enough money and that the check is legitimate. You can see your deposit in your account balance during this time, but you may not be able to withdraw or spend the money yet.
The bank may place a hold on the deposit if the amount is large, if you are new to the account, or if the check is from an unfamiliar source. A hold means the bank is keeping the money unavailable for a longer period — sometimes up to ten business days — while it confirms the check will not bounce. The app will tell you when the hold will be lifted.
Daily and monthly deposit limits
Bank of America sets a limit on how much you can deposit through mobile check deposit in a single day and in a single month. These limits are not the same for every customer — they depend on your account type, how long you have had the account, and your history with the bank.
New accounts typically have lower limits than established accounts. A new customer might be limited to $2,500 per day and $5,000 per month, while someone with a long account history might have limits of $10,000 per day or higher. The app will show you your specific limits when you open the deposit screen.
If you try to deposit more than your limit allows, the app will reject the deposit and tell you how much you can still deposit that day or month. You can deposit the rest in person at a branch, at an ATM, or wait until the next day or month to deposit through the app.
Common reasons deposits get rejected
The most common reason a deposit is rejected is that the check image is not clear enough. This happens when the lighting is poor, the check is at an angle, or the camera is out of focus. The app will tell you when ready if the image is too blurry or cut off, and you can retake the photo right away.
A deposit can also be rejected if the check is not signed on the back. Bank of America requires your signature in the designated area on the back of the check — usually a small box or line. If there is no signature, the app may still accept the image, but the bank will reject the deposit later and send you a message asking you to sign it and resubmit.
Checks that are post-dated (dated in the future), stale-dated (more than six months old), or already deposited will be rejected. The bank will send you a message explaining why and what to do next.
What to do if your deposit does not appear
Check the app first. Open the mobile app, go to your account, and look for a "Pending Deposits" or "Recent Deposits" section. Your deposit should show up there within a few hours of submission. If it shows as "processed," the money is on its way and should arrive within one to two business days.
If the deposit shows as "rejected," the app will tell you why. Common reasons are a missing signature, an unclear image, or a problem with the check itself (such as a missing amount or payee name). You can usually resubmit the check right away by taking new photos.
If the deposit does not appear in the app at all after several hours, or if it shows as processed but the money has not arrived after two business days, contact Bank of America. You can call the number on the back of your debit card, use the "Contact Us" option in the mobile app, or visit a branch in person. Have your reference number ready — this is the number the app gave you when you submitted the deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check that is made out to someone else?
No. The check must be made out to you, and your name must match the name on your Bank of America account. If someone else received the check, they need to deposit it into their own account or sign it over to you in writing (called a third-party endorsement), though many banks no longer accept third-party checks.
What if my check is damaged or torn?
If the damage does not affect the important information — the amount, date, account number, or routing number — you can try to deposit it. The app will tell you if the image is too unclear. If the bank rejects it, you can ask the person or business who wrote the check to issue a new one.
Do I need to keep the physical check after I deposit it?
Yes, keep the check for at least 30 days after you deposit it. Write "deposited" and the date on the back so you do not accidentally try to deposit it again. After 30 days, you can destroy it. If there is a problem with the deposit, the bank may ask you to produce the original check.
Can I deposit a check if I do not have a smartphone?
No, mobile check deposit requires a smartphone with the Bank of America app. You can deposit checks in person at a branch, at a Bank of America ATM that accepts deposits, or by mailing the check to the address on your account statement.
What if the check amount is very large?
Large checks may hit your daily or monthly deposit limit, or the bank may place a longer hold on the funds while it confirms the check is legitimate. If the amount exceeds your limit, you can deposit part of it through the app and bring the rest to a branch, or wait until the next day to deposit more through the app.